Planning for when the 2016 airport, St Helena after closer links with Faklands

A top official from St Helena will be visiting the Falkland Islands next month to explore ways that the governments of the two British Overseas Territories can collaborate and looking ahead to when the mid Atlantic volcanic island will have an international airport.

St Helena airport building is cleared for take-off (Pics by St. Helena Online)

A new design for St Helena’s proposed airport terminal has been unanimously approved by executive councillors at a special meeting (31 July 2012).

Chief Executive for Economic Development for St Helena and former General Manager of the Falklands Development Corporation, Julian Morris will spend four days in the Islands with meetings scheduled from 3 December to and including Thursday 6 December.

A milestone in St Helena history is taking place currently with the construction of an airport which is contracted to open in February 2016 definitively putting an end to its centuries’ isolation be it not for a monthly sea link with South Africa.

It is envisaged that the airport will lead to greater developments with tourism, fisheries and in the wider economy.

Mr Morris will hold formal and informal briefings with Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior officials and members of the public about St Helena developments.

A number of presentations are scheduled including a presentation at the Chamber of Commerce Monday 3rd December, a public update on Tuesday 4th December and a MPA update on Wednesday 5th December.

Mr Morris will also inform Falklands businesses about investment opportunities on St Helena and explore ways that the Governments of the Falkland Islands and St Helena can collaborate.

Last 3 November marked one year since the start of the St Helena airport which is expected to transform the economy of the island at the most exciting and important period of St Helena history for over 150 years.

The airport project Director Janet Lawrence said that construction is on budget and specifications which includes the completion of the temporary jetty as well as a temporary fuel storage facility and work has begun on the haul road to Prosperous Bay Plain.

The Falklands and St Helena have close relations going back to the South Atlantic conflict when many St Helenians were contracted to help with reconstruction after the war and some stayed on, married locals and became part of the community.

Falklands’ fishing companies are also involved in St Helena, and with the opening of the airport links are expected to become closer and more intense.

Note: Comments do not reflect MercoPress’ opinions. They are the personal view of our users. We wish to keep this as open and unregulated as possible. However, rude or foul language, discriminative comments (based on ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or the sort), spamming or any other offensive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Please report any inadequate posts to the editor. Comments must be in English. Comments should refer to article. Thank you.

Article should say:
............................closed links with Faklands
Why?
1) In the last decade, the Saint population in the Malvinas/Falkland Islands has DECLINED by 40-50%. That coincides with them being granted UK citizenship in 2002.
2) The Saints simply H-A-T-E the climate on them Islands.
3) The Saints simply H-A-T-E the borderline racist immigration rules on them Islands.
4) The Saints would simply L-O-V-E to return to St. Helena if jobs are to be found.
5) The Saints can now freely escape to Britain if jobs are not available or if their Close Knitted Community becomes too Closed Knitted.......
(Do you catch my drift, Kelpers?)

O-V-E to return to St. Helena if jobs are to be found.
5) The new airport, most certainly is going to create those jobs.

Most of what Think says in 1 is correct. Like I asked Denny Berger though in response to his revelation about the UK's multi cultural mix: what's your point? Is it that you would think we would be concerned about the figures and would be trying to prevent them from being released?

Like most of Think's stories, he only talked of the declining St Helenian population. He didn't talk about how quickly his closest neighbours from Chile filled the void and are only too happy to live and work here. And we're only too happy to have them.

First, “Millionaire” British Turnip Number (4) saying that there is no Saint population on them Islands!......
I’ll quote from the Malvinas Census 2006 / Table 11:
Population by Country of Birth: St. Helena: 394www.falklands.gov.fk//documents/Census%20Report%202006.pdf
The complete Malvinas Census 2012 is not yet available on Internet…
Reliable sources tell us that the Saint population in Malvinas today is not bigger than ~250 souls……

Then, “Stick Up” Turnip (5) saying that: “I said the airport wasn’t going to get off the ground.”
Well..... I, Mr. Think never said such thing.... MercoPress archive is open to anybody asserting the contrary....

Then we come to Non Turnip, ex copper Mr. Lorton at (6) commenting about some improved but irrelevant military flight capabilities to them Islands......

I still agree with most of that. I don't have a problem with it. Nor does the Falkland Islands Government. In fact they were quite supportive of the big Sodexho changeover back in the early noughties when the Saints were offered jobs for higher wages in Germany (working for Sodexho) while Chileans were offered jobs for triple their wages in the Falklands (working for Sodexho).

The day of interviews at Hotel Jose Nogueira in Puntas Arenas, Chile there was chaos. A few notices had been placed advising people who may be interested in working in the Falklands to turn up at the hotel. The only problem was that over 1000 people turned up and the queues went 3 blocks. The hotel was swamped but that was soon taken care of and everyone was happy in the end.

Think's point No. 2 is...:
When Argentina succeeds on stagnating the Islands economy, the first to be fired/repatriated/deported will be the Chilean Gastarbeiters.

Think's point No. 3 is...:
When Argentina succeeds on stagnating the Islands economy, the next to dissapear back home will be the Pom rubble without status, followed by many educated and ambitious Kelper youthlings.

Stink how are you going to stagnate the islands economy. You've been trying for years with no success in fact the islands get stronger by the month. Anyway CFK is to busy stagnating rgenweener's economy

Think - Can I clarfy your claims a bit! decrease in St Helenians working in the islands is the result of economies having to be made by the civilian UK contractors at the Mount Pleasant Base - cuttting staff numbers and the passage costs of recruiting Chileans and Peruvians is cheaper! And many have gone to Europe as Joe says. Actually they have always had no real problem with entering UK to work-even before 2002 - that just made it official.
In Stanley the number grows each year of St Helenians who qualify for permanent resedency and Islander Status - so maybe some fill in census forms as islanders now - who knows?
Naturally some have returned home to work on the new airport and good for them. Anyone would think their new airport and future is all part of an Arg funded plan to hit the Falklands the way you portray it!!!!!!!!!!!
As for your claim of Latinization of us! Long before southern Arg became part of Argentina we have been eating empanadas and asados and riding colorado or alazan horses with bastos and caversadas in the camp(o)! A bit late there Think.
Good luck to St Helena and their new airport and a future. Long overdue.

(13) Justin(hishead)Kuntz
The first poster on MercoPress to cover me with insults some two years ago!
I can see that you continue to find inadequacies on anybody not agreeing 100% with your personal points of view…
I can also see that you finally “Quitted” Wikipedia….
What happened…? Couldn’t you bear the inadequacies of all the rest of Wikipedians?

Turnip number (15) changes now his “Cunning Stategy”…….
He doesn’t lie outright anymore…..
Now he “grossly modifies” what has been written….
Some two years ago I speculated about the best medium/long term strategy and actions to cripple the Malvinas Cruising Business….
A few of those mentioned actions have been taken during the 2011/12Season….
Let’s see what 2012/13 Cruise Season brings…. Shall we?
And, as I said before; MercoPress’s archive is open to anybody asserting the contrary....

(16) Joe Bloggs
Thanks for wishing me luck….
But luck is not so relevant at the moment….
The last drill is going on at Scotia and it certainly is beginning to smell like a Patagonian Dust Storm….

Lets correct a figure ot two. St Helenian numbers in the Falklands have contracted by 40-50%. Not true, Whilst there have been some job reductions (as MPA has reduced size and requirements), and a significant number of 'Saints' have integrated into FI Community by Marriage or Citizenship, the biggest change has been as a result of St Helena and the rest of the BOTs regaining FULL British Citizenship, and so fall within the British Citizen numbers and are no longer recorded or reported seperately.

Which also blows apart any suggestion of adverse racist treatment. 'Saints' and 'Brits' are treated exactly alike for legal and immigration purposes.

Saints would love to return to St Helena, of course so, just like the English love to return to England and I expect Argentines to Argentina, whats wrong with that.

St Helenians have been able to go to work in Britain ever since there has been a jobs market, and a great many have done so, an estimate a few years ago reckoned there were three time the number of 'Saints' in Britain than on St Helena. Other long standing job markets have been Ascension Island and South Africa. For St Helena exporting it's labour force is what has served to assist the economy, as a small island with little or no natural resourses, the Population has had to learn to adapt to that. I have to say that one of the happiest overseas 'Saint' communities is the one on the Falklands. No doubt as links evolve integration will increase further.

No no. Haven't you seen his old chum on here. SparrowoverSlough? The truly bitter guy who claims he is ex Royal Navy. Been to the Falklands a couple of times, maybe more so thinks that makes him an expert on all things Falkland Islands.

Him and Think go back to the days when men were built of steel and ships were built of wood and together they share a bitterness towards the Falklands. Sparrow thinks we should all be on our knees grovelling for the odd piece of crust thrown down to us by the FCO and Think prefers the 70's when our parents were seen and not heard and didn't try to improve our lot.

A few of those mentioned actions have been taken during the 2011/12Season….
Let’s see what 2012/13 Cruise Season brings…. Shall we?

Way to go Think , bit kamakazi mind, keep up the good work :-)))))

28 FEB 2012: Argentina turned away two Carnival Corp. cruise ships
Turning away the ships meant losing a hefty financial loss for Ushuaia’s taxi drivers, tour operators, wildlife guides and restaurant and boutique workers who had arranged to work on Monday's Argentine national holiday to cater to the more than 5,000 passengers.

24 JohnCFI
I thought you'd be drawn into this. Thanks for clarifying things and good luck to you all as the Napoleon International Airport gets fully under way. Can't wait to see it.

28 Santa Fe
Most unlikely that the RAF flight will go there. The runway on St Helena is going to be a bit short. There is talk of Ascension being a diversion for the flight to St Helena but vice versa is less likely. Given the distances being considered the largest aircraft likely to use St Helena will be a 757.

You say:
“….. they (The Saints) have always had no real problem with entering UK to work-even before 2002 - that just made it official.
I say:
Next you will tell me that: “….. We (The Kelpers) have always had no real problem with entering UK to work-even before 1983 - that just made it official.”

You say further:
”……maybe some (Saints) fill in census forms as islanders now - who knows?”
I say:
Who knows............, you ask ???
Well..., let's start with the Census Authorities... They should bloody know!
That’s the whole meaning with a Census…...... Isn’t it?
Besides, if any born Saint Helenian filled his Census form as Born in Malvinas/Falklands, he would be lying, wouldn’t he?

3) As long as you, Kelper bunch, don’t drink mate amargo and repel the Brutish usurpers, you are not Latino enough, chay ;-)

quite a few St Helena people in the Royal Navy actually @34 does it really matter they are all dual citizens Falklands, St Helena /British after all and as such have the freedom to travel between thier islands and Britain as they wish, hence thier passports are British with the said Overseas territory stated on it, I myself was born in Bermuda and have duel citizenship, but my passport says British so whats your problem Stink. The green eyed monster has really got a grip on you eh?

@22 How did you know that was what they called me behind my back?
@23 Ahoy, shipmate. Don't forget to pay your RNA subs this year.
@26 Back to when Centurion was a rank not a tank, if you don't mind. That's why I know a colony when I guard one. As for the FCO throwing you a crust, is that the same FCO that you've had the privilege of watching close up as their best and brightest confounded sundry foreign governments on your behalf? Ungrateful colonist, its about time you started paying your way.
@14 I think you've jackknifed the pantomime horse with that one. I have a strong feeling that both ends will be in the knackers yard before Argentina succeeds on stagnating the Islands economy

The Census asked for 'nationality' not 'nationality at birth'. As my wife and I naturalised as a Falkland Islanders in 2007, we naturally put Falkland Islander in answer, on the previous census I put 'British' and my wife put 'St Helenian'. Would that be clear enough for you.

Oh, and my good wife said to tell you she absolutely loves the climate here.

@39 Good to know you are up to date with your subs. Even with my measly pittance of an index linked pension, which must be a small fraction of your Admiral's pension, I pay my subs up front. Never know when you might need a bit of benevolence. Still, small as it is I value it and would very much like to keep it as it is, for the sake of both me and Mrs DoD. In these hard times it would be best if the UK Government didn't risk spending it on garrisoning ungrateful but loaded colonies who won't reimburse them for the defence, judicial and diplomatic services they receive.

I've told you several times but you conveniently overlook it. We are waiting for the day when we can repay the UK for our defence and we will do so. Our politicians are on public record saying so. Sort of erodes away the need for the bitterness which I think is really driven, in your case, by something else.

@43 no just a Chiefs pension indexed linked in two years, never made admiral just like you never made it through the entrance exam, Royal Navy, you? fookin dream on, anyway pay by direct debit it's cheaper and you don't have to worry about it.

Googled St Helena earlier, I have to confess, apart from the Napoleon connection, I knew very little about the place. I would say with the right marketing, once the airport opens, St Helena would definately be a destination for those who enjoy travel or holidays to unusual destinations. Not to mention for those French admirers of Les Emperor. Now there's a market for a start, visit the location where Napoleon spent his last days.
All in all, the airport should prove to be a boon for Islanders and good luck to them I say!

4) I must asume that on the last census (2012) , when asked about your Place of Birth you still put 'Great Britain' and your wife still put 'St Helena'.
Is that correctly asumed or are you both Newborn Falkland Islanders?

Do you catch my drift.

Ps:
Give my regards to your good wife..... and tell her that I'm having a difficult time believing the bit about her love to the Malvinas climate.......

JB
Agree, it has only been the isolation of the Islands that has kept his numerous admirers, I understand there are a lot of them, from visiting the Island. The equivelent of Elvis fans visiting Gracelands. I hope the Islands themselfs will take the lead and benefit the most from what is after all, the most famous of reasons why are known to the rest of the world.

@14 What a shame that Twinky doesn't have the brain of a bent Patagonian weasel. Should we look at how successful argieland has been at stagnating the Islands economy? Well, it hasn't been, has it? All argieland has succeeded in doing is advertising the Islands as a place for opportunities and demonstrating that they are criminals. Just think. Before the argies got started, there was only a marginal interest in an oil industry. Argies have been remarkably successful in persuading the Islanders to diversify. And now a deep-water port! All signs of stagnation. Well done, argies!
@25 More threats? Can argieland do anything else? Here's a project for you. List the aircraft that can fly from the UK to the Falklands without landing or refuelling.
@43 You need to be more up to date. In the first place, the defence of the Falkland Islands, like that of every other BOT, is Britain's responsibility. A responsibility we are more than glad to take. In the second place, the Falkland Islands have already said that they are more than willing to pay for their defence when they have the money. So when the oil billions are flowing in, the Islanders will make their contribution. It's not a problem. Except for some bitter, twisted people.
@49 Desperation from a bitter, twisted genocide. How does it feel walking over the blood and bones of all the people you dispossessed and/or murdered? And now you want to do it again somewhere else? Not a chance, sonny!

Stink try reading back your own posts before embarrasing yourself. The Census asked for 'nationality' not 'nationality at birth'. As my wife and I naturalised as a Falkland Islanders in 2007, we naturally put Falkland Islander in answer, on the previous census I put 'British' and my wife put 'St Helenian'. so if at the last census they put where they were born how can they be newborn falkland islanders, they are new naturalised Falkland islanders by choice not birth.

I won't bother to comment on the nationality thing. clearly beyond you feeble abilties. Others have tried to educate you and failed.

I do however know my wife somewhat better than you, the fact that we have been here for almost 14 years testifies to how we love the place weather and all. My Missus would have been the first to voice her opinion if she didnt like it.

I don't suppose your chauvanistic self would stoop low enought to actually think a woman might have a valid opinion!!

She also says that she would expect nothing else from a Malvinist, the truth is told directly to you and still you doubt it. I would add that that is what defines you as a nation!

I guess it would surprise you to find out that many decendants of the Boers (Dutch decendants BTW) still live on the Island as St Helenians. And that the current Princess Dinizulu visits often, St Helena being one of her favourite places.

68... We note your constant need to try to prove your intelligence , like an over eager child in school. what a shame most of the facts you post are utter hogwash , just think if you had finished school you may have got yourself a proper job, not hunched over a computer trolling for dollar!
Your constant mentioning of population census reminds me of a Simpsons episode in the court house, when the brief used the Star Wars defence classic

@8 so what think, just because less St helenas have immigrated to the falklands it doesn't mean their population on the falklands has decreased, they will have had their own children and gran children in the falklands, therefore increasing their population in the falklands. All your post proved is that less were born in st Helena it doesn't prove the number of those with st helena ancestry has decreased though. Plus once the move to the falklands they become falkland islanders just like if i moved their from the UK.

As for me being a millionaire, well i fail to see your need to bring that up, obviously your just jealous. But end of the day Think i started with no money other than job seekers allwance and made my own fortune within 3 years, if i can do it then anyone can do it even you if you had the balls to get of your arse and do something about it, instead of sitting around doing nothing in the hope you win the lottery or someone else will do the hard work for you.

@63 Think
Have it your way, but I will tell you now, having lived in the Netherlands for several years and given the recent history of the area, the last people on the planet, the dutch consider themselfs to be, is Germanic.

Is there no end for the ignorance of the British Turnips about their own European History and Geography?
Now you are confusing GERMANIC with GERMAN
For your info...
The English, the Dutch, the Danes, the Swedes, the Norwegians etc. are GERMANIC Peoples....
The English language, the Dutch language, the Danish language, the Swedish language, the Norwegian language etc.are GERMANIC Languages...

Do you mean other people don't think something is as important as you do? Ungrateful, greedy, thieving colonials! Have a chat with your chum about the halcyon days, get the slides out and open a nice bottle of something. Take it easy for a night. Nothing will happen to the grand plan if your not at the helm for a spell.

Don't worry about what Think says. Even if he can prove what he says is true, there is no point to it. Around the entire globe different ethnic workforces come and go and give different countries their unique flavour.

Let's leave Think to it. If he's right and the Falklands has had to rely on a huge influx of South Americans who are now going to overwhelm our culture, it will all be revealed in March when we go to the polls.

Which, suprise! suprise! then goes on to say English is a mixture of Roman Latin, Saxon (Ah there's the Germanic bit), Norman French and Norse. Completely ignores the Celtic influence. Confusing is it not, says one thing then on the same page says something else. English is not solely a Gemanic language, but a bastardisation of all the languages of those nationalities that settled here.

@43
who won't reimburse them for the defence, judicial and diplomatic services they receive.
Firstly in the future the UK may well be reimbursed for the defence costs by the FIG.
Until the Falkland Islanders build up their economy it would be unfair for them to meet their defence costs.
By this logic, has the UK recieved anything from, Seirra Leone for their liberation? Or Libya?
Or should the UK insist that when HM forces provide any service be it famine relief, arresting pirates, rescuing people that it should now send a bill to those people.
Where do you draw the line?
What we should be doing more vigourosuly is to claim back money that Argentina has borrowed off the UK and not paid back, which amounts to several £millions .
The Argentines are the reason for the defence expenditure to protect the Falkland Islands, the fault lies at their door.
They are to blame.
Why don't we claim the costs of the 1982 war from Argentina?
They started the war.
That would go someway to paying the defence costs of the Falklands.

West Germanic languages, North Germanic languages, and the East Germanic languages, which have no native speakers, are all collectively Germanic languages.

'Which, suprise! suprise! then goes on to say English is a mixture of Roman Latin, Saxon (Ah there's the Germanic bit), Norman French and Norse. Completely ignores the Celtic influence. Confusing is it not, says one thing then on the same page says something else. English is not solely a Gemanic language, but a bastardisation of all the languages of those nationalities that settled here.'

Norse is a North Germanic Language

Norman French has Germanic influences from the Norse speakers who settled in Normandy (NORman) because they came from the North ie Scandinavia. French itself has Germanic influences from the Franks who settled in France and gave the country its name.

There is very little Celtic influence on the English language. Just a few words.

English is a Germanic language because its grammar and structure are Germanic. Latinate influence (directly from Latin or indirectly from French) has been primarily in vocabulary, not grammar or structure.

'@ Think , The Boers are a mixture of French Huguenot, Dutch, German and Flemish. if it helps :-)'

@86
Thanks, well explained. in my case being Welsh, the Celtic influence is, as you would know, is present in both our language and culture and before you ask, no I do not speak my native tongue. However it is most certainly making a come back in the south, most of my families children and nearly all of their grand children now speak it, but not as their first language.

@84 Sierra Leone is not a British colony anymore and Libya and Argentina never were but anyway they are, all three, independent sovereign states, not British sovereign territory populated by British citizens.

Back to first principles. It is the duty of the British Government to, among other things, defend the Realm and the People against internal and external threats and to manage relations with other States. To do this it raises revenue through taxes. Now, some people are poor and are exempt direct taxation but even they are liable to indirect taxation. Some other people, though, are very lucky to live in British territory with favourable tax regimes . They are popularly called tax havens and they are not very popular with those who don't live there, even the ones that don't need garrisoning on a one for one basis. There is a real possibility that the Falkland Islands will drift into tax haven status if UK tax payers don't remain vigilant and UK politicians don't put in place checks to prevent this from happening.

Now, I've seen it written several times that FI local politicians have promised to pay a contribution to the UK when they think they can afford it. I don't think that is good enough. I would much prefer to see Ms Granger including the debt to the UK as an item in the Annual Financial Statement for all to see. That way there would be transparency where there is darkness; certainty where there is hope, fairness where there is inequity and gratitude where there is none.

@88 Go on, admit it , you do speak your native tongue don't you or have you been struck dumb late in life?

Point taken on the Welsh influence. No doubt there's Welsh influence on Welsh English. And Scottish Gaelic influence on both Scottish English and Scots, and Irish influence on Irish English. But much less so on English English, American English, Australian English, etc which make up the largest part of the language.

@91
I do not speak Welsh, if my great, great grand father could come back, he would tell you why, but here's a hint, courtesy of Wiki, yet again.

In the later 19th century virtually all teaching in the schools of Wales was in English, even in areas where the pupils barely understood English. Some schools used the Welsh Not, a piece of wood, often bearing the letters WN, which was hung around the neck of any pupil caught speaking Welsh. The pupil could pass it on to any schoolmate heard speaking Welsh, with the pupil wearing it at the end of the day being given a beating. Many tried in vain to get rid of this bigotry.

That is only one of the reasons why the Welsh Language declined, especially in the industrialised South, where its use was forbidden by the owners of the Mines, Iron works etc. Speak English or watch your family starve, not much of a choice.

I look at it like cultural ethnic cleansing, but thanks to the topography of our country. it failed miserably in Mid and North Wales.

Are you getting upset because, if all goes well, the Falklands Islands will be even LESS dependant on the air bridge from Chile, subject to the mood swings of Ol' Turkey Neck / TMBOA / The Harpy / KFC????

I Think you are........Yes, I Think you are.... Poor Think........

Hey why you let him pull ya legs,
Come on, 2,000 odd years ago,
The dammed Romans tells you the Germanics were referred to as barbarians, Huns and vandals,
[depends on whose telling it] says cato.

Germany [was not]
The English language was a derivative of several Germanic tribal languages, and slowly evolved over time into what we have to day is English,
So English was in fact created in England, so its pure , from a newly invented language, is concerned,

Can we come back to the 21st century now
,,,,,,
still
the british military will look after st helens and the british falklands,
from those nasty pirat hunters lol.

Think- If so many saints find our climate so bad - why do so many saty for years and years - intermarry- take out status - buy houses - set up businesses ete etc? What am I not understanding here?

Actually I lived and worked in England for several years in the 1960s and 1970s - never a problem that I did not have right of entry into Uk in my Falklands passport?

Mate - jump back 50years and it was indeed a Falklands camp drink at 4 am before going shepherding/gathering. The best Uruguyan brands were on sale in Stanley shops. Largely Died out now - but a few diehards still take it!
Can you name the ships that cancelled their Falklands calls in 2011/12 for political reasons?
I know of 2 that cancelled Argentine calls for political reasons - they went to Chile instead on their way to Stanley!

I'm sure you would like that. Let's say oil is never produced here and under your scheme, our 'debt' to Britain increases by £100 million per year. More than that, I mean, you'd have to charge us interest wouldn't you. Do you see that continuing indefinitely? Or would it top out at a few billion? How do you see that playing out at the UN?
I've got an even better idea; why don't you start charging the Afghan government for their defence from the taliban. They haven't got a pot to piss in just now, but they could have anything lurking under all that desert. Libya must be worth a few bob as well, as they have oil flowing already.

As for tax; by what mechanism are you suggesting the UK parliament regulate taxes on the Falkland Islands? And where is your evidence for your assertion that the FI will slip towards 'tax haven status'?

No. This won't do. If oil revenues start to flow, the Falkland Islands will pay what they can afford, not because they are compelled to but because they want to. The days of the mother country expropriating the wealth of the colonies and shipping it back home are gone. I fail to see why you would even begin to think that this was an acceptable stance. Or why you think that this approach would inspire 'gratitude'.

You're a poor old soul aren't you. You're afraid that the Falkland Islanders will keep all that lovely oil money for themselves, but you're even more afraid that we'll hand a big chunk of it over to the UK without being compelled by anyone.

i take satisfaction from the negative reactions regurgitated from arg-wanna be trolls towards any positive news from The Falklands in the shape of planned proposals that meant development giving more access to the global community ,as we all now argentinas dear leader has only strived to keep The Falkland islanders isolated as much as possible.

FALKLAND NEWSFLASH: a continual prosperous and bright outlook.

Argentina : as part of a future re-housing and irradication programme being developed by the believers in highly successful Kirchner model, all argentines have been asked by their dear leader and supreme majesty Crustina to keep any cosy family size cardboard boxes, and to start practising minimalism.

99... Lets check the share prices again shall we, it's fluctuated 3.27 percent a sure sign there is no oil and the falklanders will starve. Grasping at straws my troll friends. The FI have one of the best wages per capita already without oil!!! So if your in depth economic investigation which involves quoting share prices is true and there is no oil then they can sit back and enjoy the cruise ships , tourism and fishing revenue, happy days.

I'm glad everyone smells a rat when they read Captain Birdseye's posts now. He is not what he says he is- a British tax payer who is sick of seeing his money wasted on greedy colonials- there is more to it. He's either an Argentine troll or a bitter and twisted Brit who has had a bad personal experience with the Falklands at some time in his life.

If he is annoyed at the money being spent on the Falklands by the UK he must also be very annoyed by the cost to the UK of the airport on St Helena which is currently standing at circa GBP270,000,000 and, as with all such projects, that price can only go in one direction.

Money well spent if you ask me and, if you ask the UK coalilition, because it was this current government amidst their tough but prudent austerity measures who passed it and got it under way.

I say:
”Prior to 1966 when the Falkland Islands became a tax haven, you’d have found the capital Puerto Estanley to be a sleepy little backwater…but with tax haven status came almost overnight sophistication. And today, with more than 9,000 mutual funds, 260 banks and 80,000 companies operating through the islands, Puert Estanley is a thriving and exceptionally wealthy hub.

Nice huhhhh?
And you know why it is not so today…?
Because the FIC didn’t have the “Right Friends” at Westminster, back then in the 60`s…:-(
The Cayman Islands lobby though; they certainly did have the “right friends”…!

Sooooo…… Back to reality then….:
Prior to 1966 when the Cayman Islands became a tax haven, you’d have found the capital Georgetown to be a sleepy little backwater…but with tax haven status came almost overnight sophistication. And today, with more than 9,000 mutual funds, 260 banks and 80,000 companies operating through the islands, Georgetown is a thriving and exceptionally wealthy hub.........
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You say further:
“The days of the Mother Country expropriating the wealth of the colonies and shipping it back home are gone. I fail to see why you would even begin to think that this was an acceptable stance.”

I say:
Nice Anti-Imperialistic, Anti-Exploitation, and Anti-Colonial stance from a British Squatterette…..
May I ask if your brave and laudable stance also applies to the South Sandwich Islands, South Georgia and the British Antarctic Territory, all occupied today by your Mother Country ?

@100 The Falkland Islands will pay what they can afford makes the place sound like a deadbeat pleading with a creditor for leniency. I refer the lady to the answer I gave earlier. Afghanistan is a sovereign country. If you want to be treated like one, elect a nationalist leader and become one too. There's still time before 21 Nov to get that Referendum question changed.

Interesting idea that I should be more afraid of UK coffers being filled than not when my entire personal manifesto is based on the Falkland Islands being an unquestionable UK Overseas Territory with all that means with regard to commitment (expenditure) and ownership of resources (income). Interesting idea but wrong.

Firstly, we are not an 'unquestionable' British Overseas Territory. The question about whether we should be one or not can be asked, by us, at any time.
Secondly, I suggest you do some research in the UN documents about the relationship between countries and their overseas territories regarding the ownership and exploitation of their natural resources. Our friends at the FCO understand how it works. Whatever you decide to spend is your own business. We aren't responsible for that.

You devious Squatting Kelper.... ;-)))... You gave me a Wrong Number!!!
ISBN 1 903402 379 is: A Little Piece of England: My Adventures as Chief Executive of the Fallkland Islandswww.isbnsearch.org/isbn/1903402379;

Any Honest Squatting Kelper out her that wants to help Pimmy to sell some books to Argentina?
Please post the “correct” ISBN number for The Christmas Sports” book….
Thanks in advance
El Think, Chubut.
Patagonia, Argentina.

You say:
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. (Or has it?)

I say:
But some Kelpers have doubts about the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.
And many of them Kelpers are OBE’s and MBE’s….
And they say that the FCO agrees with them….
A bit strange…, don't you Think?

117... Ah the Chewbacca Defense again , it's a miracle to behold. did you watch Rumpole of the Bailey as a child. ove the do you 'think' at the end inspired, works on so many levels and it shows your superior intellect jajaja

Been telling us for years that Argentina is stagnating the islands. Yet no-one from the islands has noticed this supposed stagnation and oh lookie - Investment from other oil companies , New port being built.

South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and British Antarctica are not connected to the Falkland Islands. What the Islanders decide to do either with the right to self-determination or even their black gold is up to them. What happens to South Georgia etc is not.

Different overseas territories, different position. Please note that contrary to Argentina's weak attempts to include them, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and British Antarctica are not on the UN's list of Non-self Governing Territories. They are, and will remain - British.

Think should be glad the island is doing so well, has so much new investment and infrastructure being built instead of being so bitter about it since according to him Argentina will get all of that nice new stuff
alas they can only dream about it

Did you know YPF had 70 meetings with O/G companies and haven't found a penny of investment.

I wonder why?

Pretty soon the Falklands new oil investments will far exceed the total worth of YPF...maybe very soon

What a silly bitter old fool.
They have found more o/g new finds in the Falklands than in ALL OF ARGENTINA did last year, ON LAND.
Do you know how exponentially harder/expensive off shore exploration is than on-shore? But every year the wells keep coming while Argentina has ni una pesito por YPF and quickly running out of nat gas and oil.
quickly running out
How many companies had to shut down last winter because the gas was turned off..how many?
Maybe YPF should start begging on Florida Ave to find some $.
Oh wait they can raid Anses oh no that can't its all gone
Bye bye pensions

The usual mud-slinging session by many, comments having little or nothing to do with the article.
Back to the article,..
Great idea for an airport! I'd like to go St Helena; interesting history and a half-way stop-over to Africa, etc.

@125 Back to the article.... I was disappointed to discover that a South African firm is building the airport with UK money from DFID. DFID so mishandled the competition, it has been alleged, that no British or European company would produce a best and final offer. This shouldn't be allowed to happen with that shiny new port (like it didn't with that once shiny new airport).

Who predicted 7/1 for the peso by August ( I think) a voila its 7.43/1 in the gray market.Who?
a Yankee that's who
I should put my money where my mouth was..
Betcha its over 10/1 soon
really soon
Then what
Hyperinflation I think
probably depression
I wonder if Chrissy will be enjoying her stolen millions in Miami by then?
or under house arrest
I wonder
Barely para todos!! maybe the next campaign
Did you know Pork makes you horny...Chrissy does but that campaign didn't last very long

St Helena, by all accounts, is a great place to visit. I missed the chance to visit 10 years ago due to a technical problem with the ship we were on. I will however being going there in 2014 and I can't wait. The airport is on schedule, so far for completion by mid-2015 with contract completion date being early 2016. It looks set to be a high-spec airport for a first rate travel destination; no package deals or reps at this type of high-end destination. Rather similar to the Falklands in that sense.

Sorry if I am to blame for any of the mud-slinging but I suspect that a couple on this thread smell; mud or no smell.

@59 I might answer you. If either you or I had a clue what you were talking about.
@60 Irrelevant drivel.
@63 Irrelevant drivel.
@66 So you're Tink now. What's that word Comprehende? I don't speak gibberish.
@68 Irrelevant drivel.
@70 It's not what we call you!
@74 More irrelevant drivel from a genocide.
@76 More irrelevant drivel.
@91 You are welcome to make your preference known to the Falkland Islands Government. Pop down to Gilbert House and tell them.
@96 Sorry, the Huns didn't migrate into Europe until around 370AD. The Vandals were even later. The original Germans were actually Teutons or Goths. By the way, St Helens is on Merseyside.
@104 More desperate irrelevant drivel.
@105 Domestic revenue belongs to the Falkland Islands. Licensing revenues will be domestic revenue. QED.
@117 More irrelevant drivel.
@122 There may well be a present. A visit from the bailiffs.
@129 Yeah, wish I could go too. Still, with luck, I am due a payout of around £30,000 in 2015. Maybe I could do a triple. Ascension, St Helena and the Falklands. I do so love visiting British territories.

@128 All sorts of issues there. Two will do for starters. British and European construction companies don't normally feel constrained from bidding for work by the mere inconvenience of distance from corporate HQ. What is DFID doing funding work in a British Overseas Territory populated almost entirely by British nationals?

Your second point has been an argument for many years and may actually be addressed shortly. It is by no means just something that has happened for this St Helena project. DfID has been pouring millions into several British OTs for many years.

There's nothing new about the UK awarding contracts to overseas companies is there? As frustrating as it is it happens quite a bit. A few of the sub-contractors that Basil Read are using are British so that's some consolation.

You ask:
What is DFID doing funding work in a British Overseas Territory populated almost entirely by British nationals?

I say:
Following the North American & European trend, maybe......?
That of canalizing monies from the ”Aid Industry” into ”Less Conventional Activities Areas”.........
I could tell you about monies from NORAD & DANIDA going to ISAF in Helmand, for example…

In the good ol´days the “Aid Industry” was a productive business for the developed world and, sometimes, for the developing world as well…..

Now, it’s being directly used to pay for “White and Ginger” occupation troops on Asian soil or “Geostrategically Important” airports in the South Atlantic…

You say:
“Who predicted 7/1 for the peso by August ( I think) a voila its 7.43/1 in the gray market. Who? a Yankee that's who”

I say:
Would that be the same Yanki that, by August 2012 also predicted a 10/1 for the Peso?
Would that be the same Yanki that, by August 2012 also predicted a 12/1 or more for the Peso?
Would that be the same Yanki that, by August 2012 also predicted the demise of the Peso?
Would that be the same Yanki that, by August 2012 also predicted the coming of the Patacon?

Please predict to us....., ohhh great Doomsday Prepper from the Mighty North…
Who else is “Coming”?
Is it Jesus?
Satan?
Fred?

As for st Helens
Yup Merseyside it is,
And bishop gate,
…
St Helena
South Atlantic it is then.lol.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
but those complaining abt who should pay for the british military in the falklands,

the british will pay, ?
and to be fair,
the argies should get the bill.

Think- still waiting for you to list the cruise vessels your side stopped coming here in 2011-12?
Tax Haven - unlikley! - it was indeed looked at in late 1960s and early 1970s, - conclusions -
Tax Havens need a decent climate!
Our location would attract a lot of sahdy deals and laundering etc rather than clean money - after all who are we next door to?

No change likley in either of the negatives!

Marcos - why do you still burble on about RKH - do get up to date - Premier are the folks who will be doing it and spending the money now!
RKH have nothing to do until they restart some more exploration drill 2015 so not surprising their shares not exactly booming at the monent!
Please listen to Beef - unlike you he has a good understanding of what he talks about

Hardly surprising that you can come to terms with the DFID and other European Aid & Development Agencies financing ISAF's military activities with their Poverty Alleviation Funds….
Makes good “military” sense, I suppose .....

I don't think so. This will be paid for by the FI private sector, FIG and perhaps a loan against future oil revenues. This has absolutely nothing to do with you. It has nothing to do with foreign policy and is therefore not a matter for 'all British citizens'.

Just out of interest, what form would you like to see the involvement of 'all British citizens' taking in this matter?
What sort of interest would you like to see Falkland Islanders taking in the way things like, well, ports, get built in the UK? How would you see that happening in practice, given that we don't have representation in Parliament?

@149 No taxation without representation then. Since you ask, I would absorb you into the Dover Constituency and political structure. We electors of Dover Town Parish Council would then be able to outvote you as there are more of us than you and, since the Army Battalion moved out in 2007, reestablish our close relationship with the British Armed Forces. Win for Democracy, win for the British Taxpayer....

There, you see, I told you that you were a laugh a minute. Happily we already pay taxes and have the government of our choice. I think our form of democracy is rather more developed that yours; the voters of the Falkland Islands are not allowed to disenfranchise a minority (Camp voters) unless both Camp and Stanley voters agree to it. From our perspective, your proposition doesn't seem all that appealing.

I think your only recourse is to lobby your government to stop defending the Falkland Islands. That is your democratic right and your only way to achieve the 'win for the British Taxpayer' that you want. In fact, why aren't you doing just that? Your position is completely untenable as it is, being completely opposed to the UK government's policy of encouraging the OTs to achieve internal self government and whatever long term future they wish, and even more at odds with the UN and international opinion.
This would be quite an interesting move; most ex- military chaps use the Falklands as a reason to lobby the government for more money for the forces.

Anyway, which constituencies do you have in mind for the other OTs? I guess you're planning to take them all into the fold, so let's hear it.

I'm still impressed with Pimmy’s thriftiness !
Here a couple of anecdotes about him.....

Puerto Estanley telephone directory makes an ideal personal address book for Pimmy………
He simply crosses out the names and addresses of people he doesen't know.

Pimmy took a girl for a ride in the taxi once…….
She was so beautiful he could hardly keep his eye on the meter.

Monty96 called in to see her friend Pimmy to find he was stripping the wallpaper from the walls……...............
Rather obviously, she remarked You're decorating, I see. to which Pimmy replied Naw…… I'm moving house.

To the extent it has succeeded, the Kirchner economic model has relied on the 2001 default on $100 billion in debt and interest, a weak peso, protectionism, confiscation of private property, capital controls, broken contracts and high taxes. In other words, it has depended on other people's money. Now, as Mrs. Thatcher warned, that money is running out.

In the second quarter, the economy contracted by 1.4%. The Buenos Aires-based think tank Foundation for Latin American Economic Research (known by its Spanish initials FIEL) is forecasting 2012 GDP growth of only 1.5%. Inflation is estimated by independent economists at almost 25% annually. As salaries are adjusted upward to compensate for the loss of purchasing power, workers are being pushed into higher tax brackets. Argentines traveling abroad now have to explain their plans to government bureaucrats if they want to buy hard currency.

Very interesting debate about the responsibility of BOTs to contribute to the huge debt around 11 trillions owed by Britain. After all they consider themselves Brits, they think they belong to Britain and they happily accept all the money, protection, financing and benefits from Mother land.

And the best part of that is that the Islanders (according with their own posting) seem to have a strong willing to honour debts as they all the time are more than happy to point out toward Argentina.

So is quite clear for me that the referendum in the FI should contain the following questions...

1-Would you like to continue to be BOT and contribute with all the oil found to the huge British debt?
2-Would you like to become a province of Argentina?
3-You don’t like the 2 proposals above and you would like to became an independent country and the next shooting target of Argentina, UK and US like Iraq?

@Think

“Mr. Fred Bates, Bold Shoe Salesman from Guachinton DC” Ha ha ha

@ yankeeboy

“Spanish initials FIEL” FIEL is a Biased ORG that is infected with formers Menemist, lobbyist for privatised companies and the “Sociedad Rural“ you can see the constitution of its stuff here www.fiel.org/staff I will not buy a used car from any of them.

Even “La Destrucción” and ClarinMiente have to admit and recognise the rise of the Arg economy in the last months, what of course is used as a good tool for them to predict more fantasy inflation... but that is another thing.

You know, I pay local taxes too - the parish, the District, the Police and the County all benefit from my largesse. I also get a vote for all of them (since 15 Nov 12 anyway). I'm so overwhelmed with democracy that I can't move for people wanting to represent me.

As for the other OTs. How about Pitcairn and the Scilly Islands? No, on second thoughts we can lump them in with you and take you under our wing. After all you both generally share the same approach to family values. As for St Helena, most people think its on Merseyside so there you go.

I know that this is not related with the topic of this article but, as a result of a discussion with a couple of Argentine friend of mine, I have been looking for information about the legal goberning institutions of the FI. Basically the Ejecutive, Legislative and Judicial power and their history since I read that they are the oldes in function in South America. SO I'm interested about thei history and evolution through the times.

The fact is that I cannot find any of importance surfing the web and I would like to read, study and know about them. Do you have any idea about where this information can be found?

@163 pgbergman
If you email someone at Gilbert House or the London FIGO office they would probably be able to help you out, you can find email addresses on the website www.falklands.gov.fk/Contact_Us.php

I imagine there wouldn't be a NATIONAL Strike if the economy was doing well..
but alas everything is shut down AGAIN today
How does anything get done there
Ooops it doesn't
that is why is a failed state

Isn't there another protest scheduled for next week and the week after too

I don't know what Simon Bolivar would thinking if he were líving ríght now and seen úsing his copy náme when read some loudmouthed comménts and talking themself...leastwise he would be happy bécouse that they are not from South America.

174
Perhaps he really wants to be Mrs Thatcher or a member of the Royal Family.

He's always had a bad case of supersileism.

Anyway the Union Jack (Flag) STILL flies high and proud over these our extremely beautiful Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and South Atlantic maritime space. Some things never change.

@181
By preventing Falkland Islands ships docking in Argentina, the law of the sea which Argentina considers so precious is being broken.
But please Nostro, don't worry the Islanders are not losing sleep over it and Argentina loses the money it would get from these ships, the way Argentina genuinely loves to lose money.
The islandrrs are not moaning anymore-as they will build a port that will take shipping away from Argentina as one of its side effects. Feel free to send your military ships to the Falklands to dock, as I'm sure the Islanders will be on the blower to Paul Singer to fly down and collect his property.

It's for the best, really. You deserve to live in peace and unbothered. And as much as people here may hate my guts for speaking the truth (the anti-argies here don't like the truth much), they even admit that I haver ALWAYS been steadfast in this matter of Falklanders and their rights.

I just want my gov to leave you alone so that you, and the UK leave us alone. Then we can tell Europe, China, USA to leave us alone and engage in isolationism.

That being said, do you honestly believe that you are in danger of invasion from NATO??

I would think that NATO has no interest, with nothing to gain.
However, your neighbours, Chile and Brasil are likely to be far more nervous of a bankrupt and desperate Argentina, especially if Venezuela becomes a major influence in your affairs.

Wouldn't it be to their advantage invade while you are weak financially and militarily??

I think NATO is a danger to the world, not just Argentina. Has been since 2003.

2nd, I guess they could try to invade, but then again it could be the Versaille treaty all over again. Look at how that helped the French and British, to humilliate the Germans.

Argentina has had powerful militaries in the past, and has vast resources and whether you like it or not has the potential to be able to gather a significant military threat to the rest of South America.

If they did attack us when weak, I think they would only be putting themselves in danger. They have no shot at holding any part of Argentina.

Then again, I believe in disbanding the military and using the billions saved to buy massive amounts of anti-aircraft, so much that no matter what aircraft is used the sheer numbers would dispel any attack.

Look at Syria, why have NATO not have the guts to attack them like Libya? Because they are a significant threat to the safety of NATO aircraft, by way of anti-aircraft arsenal.

I propose Argentina have 20 TIMES the syrian amount, since we would not spend the rest of the budget on tanks, and soldiers like Syria does, and our economy is 7 times larger, thus at least 7 times more budget (really 12 times since our per capita is also 3 times as high).

That and divert resources from other areas to this purpose, and while Argentina may not defeat an invasion by NATO, it would make it so costly that it would cost dire and cause massive unrest at home.

#191
Probably correct Dany and while this is happening your country will be free from any retaliation ?. Is a Phyric victory worth having.
Ask the Argentinian population before you post any more stupid remarks.
Why would we be interested in invading Argentina, there's nothing there of any use to us and it is full of Argentinians whose government is a complete pain in the arse. No, your country is completely safe from invasion, however, outward aggression is a different matter.

Look at Syria, why have NATO not have the guts to attack them like Libya? Because they are a significant threat to the safety of NATO aircraft, by way of anti-aircraft arsenal.

Actually, no.
NATO, or whatever Western Alliance cannot go into Syria because Russia and China at the UN have vetoed that. Otherwise they would be there, now.
Russia is selling arms to the Syrian regime and profiting handsomely.

You are paranoid if you think NATO nations want to invade Argentina. It would be very costly in $$$ and manpower, and it would be depriving Argentina of Self-Determination.
There is nothing to be gained from an invasion. Apart from being impossible from such a distance, without the help of Brasil or Chile, there is no wealth that could be extracted from Argentina, that could not be done more cheaply by peaceful investmen, elsewhere.
Besides, who would want the headache of administering your population?

MALVINAZIS BEWARE.
The UK is getting closer and closer to the free Falkland Islands, and the free F.I.
are getting closer and closer to the UK.
Now, president-for-life K.K. can start squaring the circle!